Apricot tree named &#39;APRIDELICE&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of apricot tree, denominated ‘APRIDELICE’, characterized by fruits of very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, and with an orange flesh of high eating quality, aromatic and with a high level of sugar, and with an attractive luminous red to orange red skin on an orange background.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No. 2012/0749 filed on Apr. 2, 2012), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Prunus armeniaca L.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘APRIDELICE’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of apricot tree, Prunus armeniaca L., which has been given the variety denomination ‘APRIDELICE’. This new tree produces fruit with a long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, very good eating quality, and orange flesh fruit for fresh market in July in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. Contrast is made to ‘ASFCOT0405’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,137), an apricot tree, for reliable description. ‘APRIDELICE’ is a promising candidate for commercial success in that it has very attractive fruits with long shelf life without alteration after harvesting. This new variety results from our plant-breeding program aimed at obtaining apricot trees producing fruits of sweet and very aromatic taste, with an attractive orange fruit skin covered by an appealing red to orange red blush. One of our main concerns is also the production of new varieties producing fruits having a long shelf life after harvesting, in order to facilitate long distance shipping. Our final purpose is the production of a range of new apricot tree varieties differing by their time of maturity, while producing fruits of very similar characteristics, in order to provide markets with almost indistinguishable fruits during the whole period of production of apricot.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘APRIDELICE’ apricot tree originated in a cultivated area of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, where it was tested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on the Mediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry. The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between 600 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hours of sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called ‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but its intensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/or quality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations are irregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount of rainy days does not exceed 80 days per year, and are mostly found in Spring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitations occasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘APRIDELICE’ variety resulted from an open pollination of the ‘ASFCOT0405’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,137) apricot tree, which was used as a seed parent. Thus, the pollen parent is unknown.

‘APRIDELICE’ was provisionally designated, tested and genetically identified by a genetic profile, under number 6N.07.88AB and was registered at the Official Catalogue of the Agriculture Ministry of the French Republic on Nov. 27, 2011 under number 4049396. The ‘APRIDELICE’ variety was propagated by grafting on a

‘FRANC INRA® MONTCLAR’ (non patented) rootstock trees. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of the standard rootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d′Alenya, La Prade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. More particularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of apricot tree blooms generally during March in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. More particularly, it approximately blooms between March 10 and March 18, generally 5 days later than ‘ASFCOT0405’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,137). However, it was observed that its early date of blooming seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

The first fruit of ‘APRIDELICE’ apricot tree ripens at the end of June or early in July, generally about 4 days later than ‘ASFCOT0405’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,137). However, it was observed that its early date of maturity seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph, which shows a view of a branch of the new variety in orchard, bearing fruits.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph, which shows three whole fruits and leaves of the new variety, and a fourth fruit, cut in half, with the stone left in one of the halves for depicting the fruit flesh the stone and the stone cavity of the new variety.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph with reverse and side views of flowers of the new variety, and, with petals removed, reproductive organs of the new variety.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘APRIDELICE’ is high, due to fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and large stature in a naturally semi-upright out aspect. The time of beginning of flowering is considered medium; flowering begins during the month of March. The flower petals are small and colored in white or in very pale pink. Leaf glands are present and round. Time of maturity for consumption is considered early, namely at the end of June or early in July. The fruit flesh is considered orange. The fruit skin is medium thick and colored with a red to red orange blush on an orange background. The stone is medium size. Fruit taste is very aromatic and with a good level of sugar.

The new variety female parent which is ‘ASFCOT0405’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,137) blooms generally mid-March and ripens at the end of June. Compared to ‘ASFCOT0405’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,137) apricot tree, ‘APRIDELICE’ variety blooms broadly 5 days later and ripens approximately 4 days later, as set forth above. ‘APRIDELICE’ variety produces very attractive large fruits, with a homogenous presentation and a luminous red coloration, covering between 60 and 80% of the fruit skin, on an orange background. ‘APRIDELICE’ fruits show a good behaviour and a long shelf life both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting. The time of maturity of the new variety is also interesting, because it ripens just a few days after ‘ASFCOT0405’ variety.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of apricot tree, the following was observed on trees in their fourth year of production. under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations have been done on rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were ‘FRANC INRA® MONTCLAR’ (non patented) trees. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Color Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—         -   Generally.—Considered large as compared to other common             commercial apricot cultivars. Trees reach about 250 cm             during the first growing season. Trees were pruned during             each following season to a height of approximately 250 cm             and to a diameter of 200 cm.         -   Spread.—Approximately 200 cm. The whole orchard was oriented             to a central leader organization, with tree lines spaced of             4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0 meter in a same tree             line.         -   Vigor.—Considered vigorous. Current season shoots growth             could reach 100 cm. During the first year of growth, trees             growth reaches 250 cm. In the second and following seasons,             the size of trees is reduced to 250 cm by pruning. However,             these characteristics are dependant on soils fertility,             cultural practices, and prevailing climatic conditions.         -   Productivity.—Very Productive and regular. Fruit set is             spaced by thinning to develop the remaining fruit into the             desired market sized fruit. Because of the fruit size, the             new variety only requires a medium thinning for the tree             valorisation. Thinning was necessary every year during the             years of observation. The number of the fruit set varies             with the prevailing climatic conditions and cultural             practices employed during the bloom period, and is therefore             not distinctive of the present variety.         -   Bearer.—Very regular. No alternate bearing was observed.         -   Form.—The ‘APRIDELICE’ variety has a naturally semi-upright             shape.         -   Density.—Considered highly dense, in order to obtain and             observe fruits more quickly.         -   Fertility.—The fertility of ‘APRIDELICE’ variety hasn't been             confirm yet.         -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in             France. The variety appears to be hardy under the central             Pyrénées-Orientales departement typical climatic conditions.             Experimentations on different sites with winter chilling             requirement comprised between 350 hours and 1200 hours             showed a good behaviour of the tree in all cases. The tree             also seems to have a good resistance to frosty springtime             weather. -   Trunk:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately between 12.0 cm and 13.0 cm in             diameter when measured at a distance of approximately 30 cm             above the soil level.         -   Bark texture.—Considered smooth to rough when numerous             lenticels are present.         -   Bark coloration.—The bark has mostly a brown (RHS Brown 200             A to B) coloration.         -   Lenticels.—         -   Lenticel color.—A light grey color (RHS Greyed White Group             156 A).         -   Density.—Numerous lenticels are present, approximately 4             lenticels per cm².         -   Size.—Lenticels are approximately 1.0 millimeters in width             and 3.0 to 5.0 millimeters long. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Current season shoots are considered medium for the             variety. Mature branches, are considered medium to large for             the variety.         -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other apricot varieties.             The current season shoots have a diameter from 6.0 to 7.0             millimeters, and mature branches have a diameter from 25.0             to 31.0 millimeters.         -   Surface texture.—Current season shoots have a smooth             texture. Mature branches are medium rough. Roughness             increases with tree age.         -   Crotch angles.—The crotch angles are generally between 75             and 85 degrees from the trunk axis. At maturity, the crotch             angle increases with fruits weight. This particular             characteristic is not considered distinctive of the variety,             however.         -   Internode length.—Generally between 14.0 and 21.0             millimeters.         -   Color of mature branches.—Brown (RHS Grey Brown N 199 B).         -   Color of current season's shoots.—Considered an orange brown             (RHS Greyed Orange Group 175 A to B). The current season's             shoots color evolves and turns to mature branches color when             aging.         -   Vigor.—Considered vigorous.         -   Lenticels.—         -   Density.—Numerous lenticels are present, just as on the             trunk, especially on mature branches.         -   Size.—Considered slightly smaller than trunk's lenticels,             they are approximately 0.7 millimeters wide and 3.0             millimeters long.         -   Color.—A light grey (RHS Greyed White 156 A). -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium for the species.         -   Leaf length.—Approximately 75.0 to 93.0 millimeters (average             82.0 millimeters).         -   Leaf width.—Approximately 64.0 to 80.0 millimeters (average             72.0 millimeters).         -   Leaf form in cross section.—Concave.         -   Leaf form.—Almost circular.         -   Leaf tip form.—Acuminate.         -   Leaf base form.—Generally truncated.         -   Leaf margins.—Considered dentate.         -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Upper surface texture.—Smooth.         -   Lower surface texture.—Smooth.         -   Leaf colour.—         -   Upper leaf surface.—Green (RHS Yellow Green 146 A to B).         -   Lower surface.—A lighter green (RHS Yellow Green 146 B to C)             than the upper leaf surface color.         -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.         -   Mid-vein.—         -   Thickness.—Approximately 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters when             measured at the base of the leaf.         -   Color.—Red purple (RHS Red Purple 59 B).         -   Other veins color.—Green (RHS Green 143 B).         -   Uniformity.—Leaves are of medium size and generally found             alone. No stipules are generally found.         -   Leaf petioles.—         -   Size.—Generally large.         -   Length.—Between 44.0 and 51.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 1.5 to 2.0 millimeters.         -   Surface.—Generally smooth and slightly ribbed on upper face.         -   Petioles colour.—         -   Upper petiole surface.—Depending on climatic conditions and             sunlight exposure, the anthocyanic coloration on petiole's             upper surface can be very deep and varies from red (RHS             Greyed Red 178 A) to purple red (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A).         -   Leaf glands.—         -   Size.—Considered medium.         -   Length.—Approximately 0.6 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 0.6 millimeters.         -   Number.—Between 2 and 4 glands per leaf. Generally 3 glands             per leaf.         -   Type.—Round.         -   Position.—Alternate between upper portion of petiole and             lower portion of leaf blade.         -   Color.—Generally grey orange (RHS Greyed Orange Group 165             A).         -   Leaf stipules.—         -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. -   Flowers:     -   -   Flower buds.—         -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral             buds are conic in form with a very rounded tip (ball             shaped). Their form is evolving until blooming, with             variables dimensions. Just before blooming, floral buds are             approximately 10.0 millimeters wide and approximately 17.0             millimeters long. Generally, a bud is found alone or in             group of two buds.         -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity             to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of             the flowers buds, formed by the sepals, is of purple-brown             color (RHS Greyed Purple 184 B to C); the corolla, formed by             the petals, is generally of white color with a very slightly             pink pigmentation (RHS White Group N 155 B to C).         -   Texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Hardiness.—The buds are considered hardy under typical             central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.             No winter injury was noted during the last several years of             evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement,             with winter temperatures as low as −10 degrees Celsius in             January. The current variety has not been intentionally             subjected to drought or heat stress, but the variety showed             a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42             degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and             30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer.         -   Pedicel.—         -   Length.—About 3.0 to 5.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—About 2.0 millimeters.         -   Flower shoots of leaf buds.—         -   Form.—Ovoid.         -   Length.—About 2.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—About 1.5 millimeters.         -   Color.—Orange grey (RHS Greyed Orange 175 A).         -   Flower shoots of flower buds.—         -   Form.—Ovoid.         -   Length.—About 2.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—About 1.5 millimeters.         -   Color.—Orange grey (RHS Greyed Orange 175 A).         -   Date of bloom.—During March.         -   First bloom.—The first bloom was observed on Mar. 14, 2006.         -   Petal fall.—Mar. 25, 2006.         -   Blooming time.—Considered medium season in relative             comparison to other commercial apricot cultivars grown in             the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. Thus, the first             blooming time was from Mar. 14 to Mar. 25, 2006. The last             observed blooming period was from Mar. 10 to Mar. 18, 2011             and from Mar. 18 to Mar. 28, 2012.         -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type             of flower.         -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately between 8 and 10 days.         -   Flower size.—Flower diameter at full bloom is approximately             18.0 to 24.0 millimeters.         -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant, flowers are generally             found in bunches.         -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 1 flower bud or several             flower buds per groups of 2 to 3.         -   Petal size.—         -   Generally.—Small.         -   Length.—Generally about 14.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Generally about 13.5 millimeters.         -   Petal form.—Round-shaped.         -   Petal count.—Generally 5, overlapping with sepals.         -   Petal texture.—Smooth and soft.         -   Petal color.—Both surfaces of petals are colored with a             white (RHS White N 155 B to C) to a very light pink (RHS             Greyed Purple 186 D) color.         -   Fragrance.—Moderate.         -   Petal margins texture.—Slightly wavy especially near the             base.         -   Petal base.—Narrow at point of attachment.         -   Petal apex.—Wide-dome shaped.         -   Petal peduncle.—         -   Length.—Approximately 3.0 to 5.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 2.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—Generally yellow green (RHS Yellow Green 145 B to C).         -   Sepals.—         -   Size.—Generally considered small.         -   Length.—Approximately between 5.0 and 6.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately between 4.0 and 6.0 millimeters.         -   Sepal count.—Generally 5, rarely 6.         -   Form.—Triangular, with a slightly pointed apex.         -   Color.—Generally, both surfaces of sepals are colored with a             purple brown (RHS Greyed Purple 184 B to C or RHS Greyed             Purple 185 B to C) color.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Stamens.—         -   Average number of stamen per flower.—Between 26 and 32             stamens per flower.         -   Length.—Medium.         -   Filaments.—         -   Size.—Approximately between 6.0 and 13.0 millimeters in             length.         -   Color.—White (RHS White Group N 155 B to C).         -   Anthers.—         -   Color.—Orange Yellow (RHS Yellow Orange 16 A to B).         -   Pistil.—         -   Number.—Usually 1.         -   Length.—Approximately 12.0 to 15.0 millimeters including the             ovary. Generally stigmas are at the same level as anthers or             below.         -   Color.—Considered white (RHS White 155 C) or very pale green             (RHS Yellow Green 145 D).         -   Pubescence.—Present.         -   Pollen.—         -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant. The fertility has not             been check yet.         -   Color.—Orange yellow color (RHS Yellow Orange 16 A to B).         -   Filaments size.—Approximately between 6.0 and 13.0             millimeters.         -   Calyx.—         -   Internal surface texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—The inner surface of the calyx is considered orange             (RHS Yellow Orange 24 A or RHS Yellow Orange 25 A) whereas             the outer surface is purple (RHS Greyed Purple 185 B to C)             becoming slightly lighter near calyx base. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity.—Considered early. Generally, fruits become mature             end of June or early in July.         -   Date of first picking.—Jun. 26, 2006.         -   Date of last picking.—The date of harvest varies slightly             with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘APRIDELICE             variety has early date of picking and a grouped maturity.             The maturity is usually grouped within 4 days and the             harvest is generally performed in two runs. The first             picking was carry on from Jun. 26 to Jul. 3, 2006. Last             known picking times were from Jul. 2 to Jul. 6, 2010, then             from Jun. 22 to Jun. 26, 2011, and from Jul. 1 to Jul. 6,             2012.         -   Size.—         -   Generally.—Considered large.         -   Length.—Approximately 53.0 to 64.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 52.0 millimeters.         -   Thickness.—Approximately 48.0 millimeters.         -   Typical weight.—Generally about 80.0 grams. This             characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing             cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly             distinctive of the variety.         -   Fruit form.—         -   Generally.—Round and slightly oblong near the apex and at             the fruit base. The fruit is considered to be symmetrical.         -   Suture.—         -   Generally.—Slightly marked, extending from the base to the             apex.         -   Color.—The suture has generally a color similar to the whole             fruit color. The suture is colored with a red to red orange             (RHS Orange Red N 34 A to RHS Orange Red 34 A).         -   Ventral surface.—         -   Form.—Round.         -   Apex.—Flat to slightly retuse.         -   Base.—Straight to slightly retuse.         -   Stem cavity.—Shallow. Average depth of the stem cavity is             about 4.0 to 6.0 millimeters. Average width is about 9.0             millimeters.         -   Stem.—         -   Size.—Generally small. Stem length is about 4.0 millimeters.             Stem diameter is about 2.5 millimeters.         -   Color.—Stem color is generally green (RHS Yellow Green 145             B).         -   Fruit skin.—         -   Thickness.—Considered medium.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Pubescence.—Present but very light, almost non-existent.         -   Tendency to crack.—None observed.         -   Color.—         -   Blush color.—This blush color is a red to orange red (RHS             Orange Red N 34 A to RHS Orange Red 34 A). The orange red             blush covers between 65 and 75% of the fruit skin surface             for fruits that are exposed to sunlight. The percentage of             the blush on the fruit skin surface can vary, and is             generally dependant upon the prevailing conditions under             which the fruit was grown.         -   Ground color.—The ground color covers 25 to 35% of the fruit             skin surface, and is considered orange (RHS Orange 26 A or             RHS Orange 25 B).         -   Adherence to flesh.—Very adherent.         -   Taste.—Very slightly acid, with a high level of sugars.         -   Flesh.—         -   Ripens.—Homogenously.         -   Texture.—Fine and firm. Very melting and juicy at end of             maturity.         -   Fibers.—Generally none observed.         -   Aroma.—Very present, pronounced.         -   Firmness.—Firm. Holds firmness over the time.         -   Eating quality.—Considered very good and with a high level             of sugars.         -   Flavor.—Considered very good. Good balance between sugar and             acidity. Very aromatic.         -   Juice.—Very juicy. The juiciness increases with maturity.         -   Brix.—Generally superior to 16.0 degrees, between 16.0 and             19.0 degrees. This characteristic varies slightly with the             number of fruit per tree, prevailing cultural practices and             the surrounding climatic conditions.         -   Flesh color.—Considered orange (RHS Orange 25 B or RHS             Orange 26 A to B). -   Stone:     -   -   Stone cavity.—         -   Color.—Orange (RHS Orange Group 26 A to B).         -   Length.—Approximately 26.0 to 30.0 millimeters.         -   Stone type.—Free, but the stone seems to be slightly             attached to the flesh through its base.         -   Size.—Considered medium for the variety. The stone size             varies depending upon the tree vigor, crop load and             prevailing growing conditions.         -   Length.—Approximately 25.0 to 29.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 21.0 to 24.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 12.0 to 14.0 millimeters.         -   Stone form (viewed from stem end).—Ovate flattened.         -   Stone base shape.—Round to slightly concave.         -   Stone apex shape.—Round, generally no point is observed.         -   Stone surface.—         -   Surface texture.—Medium to smooth.         -   Ridges at stone surface.—The ridges are present on both             sides of the stone. A ridge is generally narrow. The ridges             begin at the base and are extending all along the stone             length.         -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally             considered a greyed orange (RHS Greyed Orange 164 A to B).         -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is absent.         -   Kernel.—         -   Taste.—Bitter.         -   Size.—Medium.         -   Length.—Approximately 18.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 12.0 millimeters.         -   Thickness.—Approximately 7.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Ovate.         -   Color.—The kernel skin is a greyed orange (RHS Greyed Orange             165 B). The almond, which is the seed of the kernel, is             considered white (RHS White 155 B).         -   Use.—The subject variety ‘APRIDELICE is considered to be a             apricot tree with a early season maturity, and which             produces fruits that are considered firm, attractively and             luminously colored. Fruits have a balanced taste between             acidity and sugar. They are excellent for uncooked or cooked             consumption, melting and juicy when at full maturity. Fruits             have excellent gustative qualities and are very aromatic.             They are also useful for both local markets and very long             distance shipping.         -   Keeping quality.—Good. Fruits are well preserved during at             least 3 weeks after harvest in a cold atmosphere. Fruits are             considered to have a long shelf life after harvesting             without alteration.         -   Shipping quality.—Considered good. The fruit of the new             apricot variety showed very little skin scarring or flesh             bruises in picking, packing and shipping trials.         -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular             susceptibilities were noted. Under meticulous observations             during planting, growing and harvesting of fruits, no             particular resistance or sensitivity to plant or fruits             diseases were noticed. Any variety, observed during indexing             of plant characteristics, with abnormal fungus, bacterial             virus or insect sensitivity is destroyed and eliminated from             our breeding program. Although the new variety of apricot             tree possesses the described characteristics when grown             under the ecological conditions prevailing near Elne,             Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it should be             understood that variations of the usual magnitude and             characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions,             fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural             management are to be expected. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of apricot tree as illustrated and described, characterized by fruits of very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, and with an orange flesh of high eating quality, aromatic and with a high level of sugar, and with an attractive luminous red to orange red skin on an orange background. 